No one is having more fun right now than these new House Democrats – ThinkProgress

The House of Representatives is going to look so much totally different come January — not simply on account of a Democratic majority, but in addition a record-breaking variety of ladies, individuals of colour, and LGBTQ members set to hitch Congress after final week’s midterm elections.

That sea change is depicted on the duvet of the New Yorker, which Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) lately shared on Instagram with the caption “Knock knock.”

Ocasio-Cortez and a few of her new Democratic House colleagues are in Washington, D.C. this week for orientation. And it’s very attainable that no one on this nation is having more fun right now than Reps.-elect Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Ocasio-Cortez.

The 29-year-old Democratic socialist, who will formally grow to be the youngest-ever congresswoman after beautiful longtime Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY) in June’s Democratic main, has been documenting a lot of orientation on social media.

Don’t sleep on the IG 😉 https://t.co/ASvImKHLJV

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 13, 2018

I simply need to bless everybody’s timeline with this video from @Ocasio2018’s IG. I’m all smiles for this clique of highly effective, inspiring ladies of shade. #thefutureisfemale pic.twitter.com/hXf3tywaJl

— Houston (@starkid_wheeler) November 13, 2018

The group kicked issues off by motivating more younger ladies to run for political workplace.

The most recent members of Congress have additionally been busy attending to know a few of their co-workers. Judging by social media, the preferred has been Civil Rights icon Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), who joined Reps.-elect Sharice Davids (D-KS), Antonio Delgado (D-NY), and Omar for footage.

A real honor to be within the firm of an American hero @repjohnlewis. I’m capable of serve due to his management and braveness. pic.twitter.com/FM0EvQqlxA

— Antonio Delgado (@DelgadoforNY19) November 14, 2018

We’re in Washington DC this week for new member orientation. I’m able to get to work for the individuals of #KS03! pic.twitter.com/VbYyLtVZNp

— Sharice Davids (@sharicedavids) November 14, 2018

It’s an honor to get to satisfy and shortly serve beside a civil rights icon like @repjohnlewis.

Thanks for serving to pave the best way for all of us, Congressman! pic.twitter.com/okay99sbY1xGz

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) November 14, 2018

The primary Native American ladies ever elected to Congress additionally posed collectively, as Davids tweeted a picture with Rep.-elect Deb Haaland (D-NM).

I’m honored to be part of this time in historical past when so many new voices are being included in our nationwide dialogue. Will probably be a particular privilege to serve alongside @Deb4CongressNM. I’m impressed by the work she has achieved for her group & am grateful for her friendship. pic.twitter.com/fUHCubmE3M

— Sharice Davids (@sharicedavids) November 13, 2018

Omar and Tlaib, the primary Muslim ladies ever elected to Congress, have been pictured on the House flooring with Reps.-elect Lucy McBath (D-GA), Joe Neguse (D-CO), and Davids.

Began from the underside, now we’re right here. pic.twitter.com/zu2NqMC8AH

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) November 14, 2018

Rep.-elect Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), who turned the primary Democrat to win her district in 50 years, additionally tweeted a picture from the House flooring with Reps.-elect Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI).

Taking a tour of the House flooring with fellow Consultant-elect pals final night time! pic.twitter.com/XFnyhxqDkP

So excited to see @ElaineLuriaVA and @SpanbergerVA07 at New Member Orientation.

Virginia ladies coming to shake up the House! pic.twitter.com/sl71HGZUgf

— Jennifer Wexton (@JenniferWexton) November 13, 2018

New York’s latest members of Congress made time to satisfy, as Delgado tweeted a picture with Reps.-elect Anthony Brindisi (D) and Max Rose (D).

Proud to serve the individuals of New York with @MaxRose4NY and @ABrindisiNY pic.twitter.com/JE8l988e1h

— Antonio Delgado (@DelgadoforNY19) November 14, 2018

Twenty-nine-year-old Rep.-elect Abby Finkenauer (D-IA), who narrowly missed out on the title of youngest-ever congresswoman, tweeted about strolling onto the House flooring for the primary time.

Simply walked onto the ground of the US House of Representatives for the primary time as a member-elect. I sat there in gratitude and respect for my residence, my state, my district and the work that lies forward. I walked out wanting as much as that quote. Becoming. A lot hope. Able to serve. pic.twitter.com/mhkvk73t74

— Abby Finkenauer (@Abby4Iowa) November 14, 2018

Thirty-one-year-old Rep.-elect Katie Hill (D-CA), who shall be among the many first brazenly bisexual members of Congress, shared a picture of her official lanyard.

Day one of freshman orientation is full — it’s not actual till you get the official lanyard!

So grateful to be right here with a gaggle of new representatives who’re youthful and more numerous than ever earlier than! pic.twitter.com/rkxwy5pPxn

— Katie Hill (@KatieHill4CA) November 14, 2018

Tlaib, the primary Palestinian-American lady ever elected to Congress, received to know some her new colleagues in Michigan’s Democratic congressional delegation.

Meet #Michigan’s new Democratic delegation for the 116th Congress! The new Democratic majority is able to concentrate on decreasing well being care prices, defending Medicare & Social Safety, enhancing our infrastructure & cleansing up authorities to make it work #ForThePeople. pic.twitter.com/WH9S2Z8Kwv

— Rep. Dan Kildee (@RepDanKildee) November 13, 2018

The 42-year-old congresswoman-elect additionally documented her new workplace.

New era of public servants means new voices wanted on the desk. This is the committee I’m advocating to serve on. Representing #13thDistrictStrong, third poorest district within the nation, deserves a voice. #rootedincommunity pic.twitter.com/iKRIImMSsy

— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) November 13, 2018

As did Ocasio-Cortez, who in contrast Congress to Harry Potter’s Hogwarts.

I discover @Ocasio2018’s Instagram tales about so endearing. pic.twitter.com/4StUMAhGMM

— Sarah Carlson (@sarahkcarlson) November 14, 2018

Pressley, the 44-year-old Boston metropolis council member who would be the first Black congresswoman from Massachusetts, documented her journey to D.C.

Seeing the various new Congress put together to take its place in historical past is already offering inspiration.

These photographs of @Ocasio2018, @AyannaPressley, @RashidaTlaib and @IlhanMN are giving me life as a result of I understand how essential it is for women and younger ladies of shade to see representatives who appear to be them and who help one another.https://t.co/h8WelO3jxq

Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib are the primary two Muslim ladies in Congress. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks often about her Catholic religion. Ayanna Pressley is the granddaughter of a Baptist minister. The Spiritual Left is numerous, rising, and reshaping American politics. pic.twitter.com/Xz8pZWekDI

— Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons (@GuthrieGF) November 13, 2018

However don’t assume this is a sight-seeing tour, as Omar made clear on Twitter.

We didn’t come to play.

✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 https://t.co/O6MzKKbCgI

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) November 13, 2018

The group took half within the Progressive Caucus’ multilingual press convention, with Ocasio-Cortez tweeting that “Representation matters.”

Proud to say our first @USProgressives press convention w/ new members was multilingual.

Illustration issues. https://t.co/z5JxIPTJuJ

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 13, 2018

When Pressley, who upset longtime Rep. Mike Capuano (D-MA) in September’s Democratic main, was requested about representing a majority-white district, Omar famous the hypocrisy of the query.

Reporter asks @AyannaPressley about being black & representing a white district

“The question is never asked of a white candidate who represents a minority-majority district,” @IlhanMN says in protection, to huge applause from fellow CPC. We’re in “new era focused on whats at stake”

— Jeff Stein (@JStein_WaPo) November 12, 2018

The 36-year-old Somali refugee is hitting the halls of Congress operating, utilizing her unbelievable story to unfold hope and consciousness of the plight of refugees.

“I talk all the time about the eight-year-old me and all the eight-year-olds who are living in their camps. I hope my victory gives them hope.”https://t.co/kJ0JEBohyW

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) November 13, 2018

Omar additionally corrected a tweet by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), who had claimed the nation’s system for asylum was “broken,” noting, “People who are so ignorant of our laws are creating laws, no wonder we are in such a mess.”

.@SenTomCotton let me enable you to with this, it’s a must to be bodily within the US to hunt asylum right here! That’s how our system works. People who find themselves so unaware of our legal guidelines are creating legal guidelines, no marvel we’re in such a multitude 🤦🏽‍♀️ https://t.co/aOelIsD3XS

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) November 11, 2018

Rep.-elect Lauren Underwood (D-IL) made it clear that well being care can be the main target of the new Congress.

This was the well being care election—People rose up & stated decisively that we’ll NOT tolerate assaults on our care. I sit up for working with colleagues in Congress to strengthen the ACA & cement protections for individuals with pre-existing circumstances.https://t.co/P7Tj1l8QZg

— Lauren Underwood (@LUnderwood630) November 14, 2018

Pressley used her platform to help Stacey Abrams (D) within the ongoing vote rely and authorized battle towards vote suppressor and Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp (R), in that state’s gubernatorial race.

This is no “desperate ploy” Brian Kemp, this is what decided justice appears like. We’ll rely each vote in #Georgia The sacrifices of the liberty riders earlier than us, calls for we achieve this. We have got your again @staceyabrams #TeamAbrams, use our platform, inform us what else you want. pic.twitter.com/P5Aao9NFXM

— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) November 10, 2018

The Massachusetts congresswoman-elect additionally referred to as for more gun management.

I’m sick & uninterested in being sick & drained. I can not wait to struggle in Congress for actual federal funding within the #CDC to allow them to research the basis causes of #gunviolence. We additionally want federal dollars for #trauma helps for impacted communities & households. https://t.co/lyRq7Q1XbV

— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) November 13, 2018

Violent crime is one the rise, #gun #fatalities are on the rise, #suicide is on the rise. We have got work to do and I intend to give attention to decreasing and stopping #gunviolence and supporting survivors of it, https://t.co/DAcaPiI4P2

— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) November 13, 2018

We’d like: 1)complete #gunviolence prevention 2)legal background checks on each gun sale three)to shut the boyfriend loophole. Each life we’re robbed of, on a metropolis block, at a faculty, membership/live performance or at a religion home is of worth. I would like justice & to stop more tragedies.

— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) November 13, 2018

And eventually,we all know #violence is a byproduct of #poverty For so long as we have now revenue, wealth & wage disparities, we may have violence in our society, which is why so many expertise intergenerational poverty, violence & #trauma #sufficient Now is the time to be daring, deal with all of it

— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) November 13, 2018

This is an city, suburban, rural challenge. Newspaper headlines might transfer on, public consideration might transfer on, I can’t. This is a matter of #publichealth #publicsafety I plan to stay uncomfortable AND to make others uncomfortable till we cross complete, smart prevention leg

— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) November 13, 2018

Hill reacted to final week’s Borderline Bar capturing, by which a number of constituents from her district have been killed, by calling for more gun management.

The #BorderlineShooting is a tragedy for our group. We owe it to the victims and their family members to be accountable not solely with our phrases, however with our actions. My full assertion: https://t.co/yLW4zJMFhT

— Katie Hill (@KatieHill4CA) November 12, 2018

This is about saving lives. The overwhelming majority of individuals — gun house owners and gun violence prevention activists alike — agree that insurance policies just like the #GVRO and excessive capability journal ban ought to be in place and be carried out throughout the nation.

On Tuesday, she joined Ocasio-Cortez in addressing the Dawn Motion, a gaggle of younger those that advocates for preventing local weather change.

omg. @Ocasio2018 & @RashidaTlaib simply ended their first day of orientation as new congresswomen by speaking to @sunrisemvmt.

It was 🔥.

We lastly have politicians in Congress who’re preventing for our lives alongside us.

I’m shaking. pic.twitter.com/ymtMd5EVKc

— Garrett Blad (@gblad) November 13, 2018

.@Ocasio2018 ending her first full day in DC by standing on a desk at a grassroots youth organizing coaching, demanding Inexperienced Jobs for All. This is an excellent begin. https://t.co/wOcXRrJhAQ

— Duncan Meisel (@duncanwrites) November 13, 2018

Representatives like me and @Ocasio2018 will all the time be there for this @sunrisemvmt, as a result of we merely can’t wait – the planet is operating out of time. We’d like daring, fast federal local weather motion! pic.twitter.com/rotmanp41X

— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) November 13, 2018

Then Ocasio-Cortez joined protesters within the workplace of House Minority Chief Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to name for daring motion towards local weather change.

“I, not just as an elected member, but as a 29 year old woman, am thinking not just about what we’re going to accomplish in the next two years, but the America we’re going to live in for the next 30 years. I don’t want to see Miami [&] my own district under water.” – @Ocasio2018 https://t.co/OzNJcNQZev

— Geoffrey Supran (@GeoffreySupran) November 13, 2018

A number of hours later, the congresswoman-elect from the Bronx thanked Pelosi after she expressed her help for reinstating a House committee on local weather change.

I’ve spoken with @NancyPelosi about how our commitments to local weather change ought to take form within the 116th Congress.

Her workplace has responded shortly, and she or he has advisable the reinstatement of the Choose Committee on Local weather Change. pic.twitter.com/LHI6koUto6

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 13, 2018

Thanks, @NancyPelosi.

We now have 10 years left to plan and implement a Inexperienced New Deal earlier than cataclysmic local weather catastrophe.

Reinstating the Choose Committee is precisely what we have to do. https://t.co/Uy5BnrLZcR

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 13, 2018

Then Ocasio-Cortez shifted her focus to New York’s $1.7 billion cope with Amazon.

We’ve been getting calls and outreach from Queens residents all day about this.

The group’s response? Outrage. https://t.co/Jl4OIfa4gC

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 13, 2018

Amazon is a billion-dollar firm. The concept it’s going to obtain a whole lot of tens of millions of dollars in tax breaks at a time when our subway is crumbling and our communities want MORE funding, not much less, is extraordinarily regarding to residents right here.

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 13, 2018

Once we speak about bringing jobs to the group, we have to dig deep:– Has the corporate promised to rent within the present group?– What’s the standard of jobs + what number of are promised? Are these jobs low-wage or excessive wage? Are there advantages? Can individuals collectively discount?

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 13, 2018

Displacement is not group improvement. Investing in luxurious condos is not the identical factor as investing in individuals and households.

Shuffling working class individuals out of a group doesn’t enhance their high quality of life.

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 13, 2018

We have to give attention to good healthcare, dwelling wages, reasonably priced lease. Firms that provide none of these issues must be met w/ skepticism.

It’s attainable to determine financial partnerships w/ actual alternatives for working households, as an alternative of a race-to-the-bottom competitors.

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 13, 2018

Lastly, this isn’t nearly one firm or one headquarters. It’s about value of dwelling, corps paying their justifiable share, and so on.

It’s not about choosing a struggle, both. I used to be elected to advocate for our group’s pursuits – & they‘ve requested, clearly, to voice their considerations.

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 13, 2018

Zephyr Teachout, who misplaced to Letitia James within the race to develop into New York’s lawyer common, praised Ocasio-Cortez Tuesday and stated “this is what Democrats can and should do.”

So impressed that @Ocasio2018 is beginning her second day on Capitol Hill by taking over the Amazon behemoth. She’s not enjoying. This is what Democrats can and will do–tackle the monopolies with no apologies, get up for working class and poor individuals who do not get breaks.

— Zephyr Teachout (@ZephyrTeachout) November 13, 2018

Although the incoming members will face new pressures as soon as Congress is in session, their tales, accessibility, and age make them rising Democratic stars that may possible be value expecting years to return.